On Saturday 20th June at Jubilee Library we had our Men Behaving Dadly event where we joined up with the Children and Young People’s Trust Parenting Team to celebrate fathers in the city. Over 220 parents and 215 children of all ages came to the event.

There were activities for all ages of children to join in together with their Dads from drumming and circus skills, to a graffiti and creative writing workshop. The day culminated in a visit from Sid of CBeebies who led a storytime with the children in the library. (See the pictures below which captured a bit of the flavour of the day!)

Local support services also provided information to families about how they are supporting fathers and their families in the city. We also consulted fathers on the day on what is good about being a dad in the city and what could be improved.

Key messages from dads on the day -

• Lots of activities are geared towards mums, the need for more dads' only groups/activities.
• Need more recognition of dads role and dads as carers.
• Brighton & Hove is a great place to live with lots going on for families.
• Working hours and location of workplace have an impact of the role of dads.
• Concerns over the cost of activities and travelling to them.

For more detailed information please download the full report below.

For information about ongoing support for fathers work you can contact Paul Salvage at paul.salvage@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Art activitiesDad and child with stiltsDad poemDad at information stallFire fightersPlaybusBoy drummingJubilee SquareCircus skillsSid and childrenDads and children playingBeetboxingDads and their bagsGrafitti workshopRegistration table